Samantha Richdale - A Champion in Taiwan

For the 25-year-old Richdale, who is scheduled to begin her first full season on the U.S. LPGA Tour in March, the victory in Hsinchu, Taiwan marks the third season in a row she has won one event or more since turning professional in 2006.

Trailing by two shots to begin her final round, Richdale closed with a score of 69 by recording birdies on the final two holes to claim her first prize of $30,000 U.S. A week earlier in the Taighong Open she finished fifth and earned $4,000.

As reported in the Kelowna Daily Courier, Richdale made the trip to Taiwan with former Canadian National Team member and Duramed Futures Tour golfer Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont. Both players are entered in this week's Hitachi Classic in Gueishan, Taiwan. Richdale will then return to her new home in Palm Gardens, Fla.

After competing for two seasons on the Canadian Women's Tour and the U.S. Duramed FUTURES Tour, the 2004 British Columbia Amateur Champion won as a professional for the first time in 2008 at the FUTURES Tour Gettysburg Championship. That same year she also won the Suncoast Series Event at Huntington Hills.

In 2009 Richdale was again victorious on the FUTURES Tour, winning the Louisiana Pelican Classic, and for finishing the season in fourth place on the money list earned her playing status on the LPGA Tour.

As an amateur, Richdale was a three-time Missouri Valley Conference Championship individual medalist (2003-04-06), won seven other collegiate events and was named Illinois State University Female Athlete of the Year for 2005/06.

Source: www.kelownadailycourier.ca and LPGA Tour
Photo: Duramed FUTURES Tour
Samantha Richdale may be contacted through her official web site: www.richdalegolf.com/